This silk byproduct can give your skin a silken touch

It’s not just silk that the Central Silk Board deals with. Several other byproducts that would otherwise be treated as waste, are now being put to use.

One such is the serisin-based soap that could soon hit the market. A byproduct of silk production, serisin is being derived to add to soaps, shampoos and face packs.

Daily soaps or creams could give that silken touch with the addition of just two per cent serisin. A private player has already shown interest in putting this to use.

“Silk is a protein fibre. To achieve softness in the fabric, the gum, which constitutes nearly 25% of the fibre, has to be removed. Previously, it was boiled with soda and soap and discarded since chemicals were added to it. But we have started using a degumming machine, in which the gum is subjected to pressurised boiling without chemicals. Hence, it is safe to use,” said Shankar S Kotrannavar, assistant director
(Inspection), Central Silk Board.

This liquid thus obtained is treated using spray drying techniques to produce a powder. “The board is now in the process of testing to see how the powder can be used in products like soaps and cosmetics without causing side-effects,” he added.

Other products on display at the stall were varieties of silk and cocoons from which they are made. Kotrannavar said that the Central Silk Board is now conducting research on the use of pupa oil (an extract derived from dead silk moths).